Pittsburgh's first eagle nest in 250 years in danger due to poison being used in their hunting territory
Annette Devinney, founder of Save Hays Eagles, said, "I have been photographing these eagles since they arrived over a year ago (January 2013).
The poison being used to eradicate the rats at the Pittsburgh Recycling
Center (closed) is less than one mile from the eagles nest. The nest
contains two adults and three eaglets. The eaglets have been known to
eat rats – seen eating at least three rats this week actually. The
poison could easily kill the birds, not to mention other raptors in the
area - Redtail hawks, falcons, owls, etc."
Bill Powers, president of Pixcontroller, the company that set up the nest webcam
with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said the concern from local
citizens is valid. "The threat to the eagles is a real danger. The
chances of the eagles picking up one of these rats could be pretty high.
If action is taken to get rid of the rats, then it needs to be
something that will not negatively impact the environment," said Powers.
Devinney
agrees that the rats are a problem but that it needs to be resolved
without impacting the eagles. "The rats need to be removed without
poison. Removing the garbage in the area is a great beginning," she
said.
Measures are already being taken to protect the eagles. Guillermo Cole, health director, Allegheny County Department of Health said, "The Allegheny County
health department is issuing a consent order to the new owners of the
Pittsburgh Recycling Center to use effective measures that are sensitive
to environmental impacts and provide minimum harm to humans, pests, and
wildlife."
The
Pittsburgh Hays Bald Eagle cam, operated by Pixcontroller, in
conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and streamed live by
WildEarth, has over 1.5 million views to date.
"This
eagle cam has brought thousands of residents locally and across the
entire country together as we are all interested in the bald eagles and
the eaglets. We are all learning together and sharing in this wonderful
experience and we must ensure future generations have this opportunity
as well," said Robin Hauger, Save Hays Eagles member, and eagle enthusiast.
Bill Powers,
Pixcontroller.com, said that the webcam has really sparked an interest
in the eagles. "The way people are looking at this and getting involved
with the cameras is validating a lot of the things that are happening
locally. The fact that folks are as passionate about it as they are
speaks volumes."
To view the Pittsburgh bald eagles, please visit: www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/.
To join Save Hays Eagles group: https://www.facebook.com/savehays.eagles?fref=ts
For more photos of the eagles, visit Eagles of Hays Pa: https://www.facebook.com/eaglesofhayspa
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